It’s been heart wrenching to watch the devastating footage from the communities in Buncombe County over the past week and my prayers are with the families of the 214 individuals who have lost their lives across several states, and the countless others who are in need of help. While we won’t know the true toll of this devastation for weeks to come, I know that everyone is working as swiftly as possible to find those missing, recover lost property, restore power and communications to the area and to provide essential supplies. President Biden, Vice President Harris, Governor Cooper, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have my full support to ensure that all federal resources are made available to assist our neighbors in need. I was thankful to meet with Vice President Harris on Saturday to learn more about the whole-of-government effort to help North Carolina recover.
There are some who would use this crisis to divide us, but now is not the time. People are suffering because of a major weather event, and we need to come together to help them, not weaponize their anguish. FEMA personnel and other federal resources are deployed throughout the region, and I encourage you to consult this rumor response page to fact-check any incorrect information you may encounter online. Combating misinformation and disinformation is always important - but it is especially important when responding to disasters like Hurricane Helene. In fact, disinformation after a hurricane or other natural disaster can discourage people from seeking critical assistance when they need it most. So be sure to take a moment and read through FEMA’s rumor response page.
